We had a great opportunity to housesit at Loch Sport in the Gippsland Lakes area.

What started as a five day housesit morphed into ten. That worked out though because it meant we could settle for a while from [our road trip]. We could do some washing. We could clean out the car and get it washed. We could get some work done. And, of course, we could hang out with the cats that we were looking after.

That was all good, but if we’re honest, Loch Sport was not a place we fell in love with.

A pretty lake on one side, 90-mile beach on the other, and capped by a National Park would be an ideal setting for a lot of folks. But, there was something about the place we just didn’t like. Something we didn’t quite connect with.

I still can’t seem to put my finger on why.

Loch Sport is pretty isolated. I’m sure the place is jumping in summer. It had that kind of vibe. Fishermen and kayakers and SUP boards would cram the lake, elbowing each other for space.

During the offseason, the time we visited, the place was quiet as quiet could be. I usually love the quiet, but it felt like we were invading the place. True enough, there was not a wave or a smile given by a local when we passed by while out walking. Even when we were driving, we would receive suspicious glares from the few folks we did see.

It was kind of creepy.

It certainly wasn’t a place people would just pass by either. You had to want to get to Loch Sport. A very dull, empty stretch of road took an hour to drive to Loch Sport from the nearest town.

It seemed like the kind of place where fugitives went to hide. Maybe that was the strange vibe I was feeling? Maybe it was secretly a ‘witness protection’ kind of place? Seriously, it was a prime location to hide out from the law or from the mob. There was a certain sinister feeling I couldn’t quite shake.

Even the ‘roos seemed in cahoots with the locals, threatening unsuspecting visitors from ever driving there again. There were easily 20 kangaroos (not wallabies, mind you, but the much larger and erratic kangaroos) to every car on the road around twilight in the area between the turnoff to Loch Sport and the township itself.

When I looked at the lake, particularly the surrounding marsh, all I could imagine was the immense population of mosquitos, ready to spread the West Nile virus to any unsuspecting visitor. Like they had an agreement with the locals to seek out the unwelcomed with nefarious intent.

That’s not to say that the place is all bad. It has potential. Maybe that’s it? Maybe it’s the fact that it really could be a gorgeous place to hang for a while, but its progress seems stunted by the naysayers—you know, the people who have lived or summered there for generations and like it just the wait it is, thanks very much.

Loch Sport had few shops: A bakery, a general store and a golf club that was open only now an again. It seemed sorely lacking in amenities.

To get your groceries, you had to drive on that long, boring road, into town. Town, meaning Sale. Yep, that’s the name of the nearest town. Sale.

It kept throwing me off at first. I thought shops were advertising discounts everywhere. Everything said “Sale” and my mind (being the frugal mind it is) kept thinking “ooh, discounts!” But, no, Sale is the name of the town.

That’s not to say though that there weren’t bargains to be found. The town offered the usual amenities for its size. It had the supermarkets, some really great restaurants (we loved Redd Café and Centre Bakery), and pubs like every good Aussie town provides.

Maybe it all comes down to the people after all? Unless you have friendly neighbours and a positive atmosphere, what’s the point of being there? If you’re not welcomed into a place, what makes you want to return? What makes holiday goers want to go back every year?

I know we won’t be returning. Sorry Loch Sport. Or maybe that was your intention after all? Keep the tourists out and keep it for yourself? That’s okay, you can have it.

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About the author

Tara Marlow

Tara Marlow is the founder/writer/photographer/creative genius behind www.TravelFarEnough.com. In her late 40s, she is slowly travelling the world full time. She's ditched the desk, emptied the nest and now she's embarking on a new adventure to find herself in the world, inspiring others, like herself, to do the same. She's currently on a 10-month road trip through Australia. 2018 will take her to N.Z., the U.S., the U.K., Spain, and then… well, who knows?
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Thanks for your comments Michelle. I knew my post wouldn’t be well received by some and your comments are all completely valid. I only stayed a few weeks housesitting but I can’t help but convey the feeling I got about the place as it’s different from everywhere else I’ve been. Honestly, I found the locals to eye us suspiciously and no one – seriously, no one – said hello, despite my efforts.

I do understand the feeling of not wanting places to change too. I grew up in a quiet spot in the Upper Hunter Valley in N.S.W. and the coal mines were always a threat. But there also needs to be conveniences. To drive an hour one way just to get bread or milk (because the general store wasn’t open, or didn’t have when I needed) got old fast. I didn’t mind the ‘roos actually. I found their daily visits a pleasure. It was the road to Sale that scared the begesus out of me.

Enjoy your place in the world. I’m sure there are many more layers to it than I experienced. And thanks for sharing the great parts about Loch Sport. I still stay in touch with the homeowner we housesit for and she absolutely loves it.

January 11, 2018 at 7:47 pm

Michelle

Hi Tara,
An interesting read,
We have been holiday in Loch Sport for 10 years or so. We have made some wonderful friends over this time. It’s great to catch up with them in such a beautiful part of the world. However, even when they are not here I enjoy the tranquility, nature and wildlife – including the erratic kangaroos that you mention.
How dare they venture out of the confines of the national park!!
You are right in saying that the vibe in the peak season is very different….. and I will confirm your suspicions, we ( our group of friends and families) can’t wait for them to all leave.
We love this place the way it is, we don’t want it to be Torque or Phillip Island, (also beautiful places) we chose Loch Sport for a reason.
Enjoy your travels

November 2, 2017 at 4:25 am

luke

i like loch sport but it lacks a town centre. Hence, no-where for locals and tourists to mingle, and no community vibe.

Hey Pete. Thanks for responding. It’s nice to hear a local’s point of view. Glad I wasn’t the only ones with the fugitive thought! The place was really peaceful and picturesque, especially with the morning and afternoon light (I am a photographer after all). It’s just a little TOO isolated for my liking – and I grew up in country NSW – but add in the attitudes… it was well, off-putting. It’s definitely a change from the city though! Good for you for getting out of the rat race!

September 27, 2017 at 10:01 am

Pete

Hi Tara
I’ve lived in Loch Sport quite a while and empathize with your experience. The locals are a mixed bag. There is a handful of nice people and then there’s…well – all sorts, to put it politely. The beauty of the place is what drew me in. And I wanted to escape the city. Not for being a fugitive – I laughed when I read your comments, because I’ve often found myself saying the same thing! Loch Sport suffers small town syndrome in a BIG way, but some of my friends who moved to small country towns in NSW and QLD forewarned me of this. You learn to adjust and keep to yourself. Regards – Pete

The people can change your whole perspective of a place for sure. We’ve seen other places that were a little sketchy, but once we chatted with some locals, we came to love the place. It goes both ways.

September 6, 2017 at 8:14 am

Peter

Hi Tara
I live in a village in the West Midlands of England – beautiful countryside in every direction; just wonderful.
But the village I live in exactly matches your description of Loch Sport. I think you’re dead right – it’s the people that do it.
Enjoy your travels.

Thanks Delphine. While we’re experiencing some amazing places, there are some places that just don’t wow us and why not be honest about that? I’d rather our readers know there are places, despite sounding interesting, just don’t resonate with us and maybe that’ll save someone else some time and money.

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